Wild Sinner to Saint of the Ages: The Spiritual Warfare & Conversion of St. Augustine | Paul Thigpen

Mar 15, 2026

Dr. Paul Thigpen, a Catholic convert, theologian, and editor known for writing on spiritual warfare, guides a vivid portrait of St. Augustine. They trace Augustine’s wild youth, his encounter with Ambrose, and the dramatic conversion moment. Conversations cover Augustine’s major works, battles with heresies, and his lasting influence on theology and spiritual life.

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ANECDOTE

Paul Thigpen Remembered As Pastor And Mentor

Conor Gallagher opens the episode by announcing Paul Thigpen's death and describing Paul's pastoral warmth and prolific writing career.
Conor recounts Paul's mentorship, work at TAN Books, and gifts in spiritual warfare training and exorcism ministry, showing why he mattered to many.

insights

INSIGHT

Augustine As Restless Seeker Of Truth

Paul Thigpen describes Augustine as a restless seeker whose search for truth equals a search for God, which made Augustine's work resonate across traditions.
Reading Augustine helped Paul move from Protestantism toward Catholicism by showing continuity with the early church and deep spiritual psychology.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Tagaste To Carthage Monica's Prayers Shaped Augustine

Paul summarizes Augustine's early life: born 354 in Tagaste (modern Algeria), raised by Christian mother Monica and pagan father Patricius, educated in rhetoric, later attracted to Carthage's immorality and Manichaeism.
Monica's persistent prayer and eventual deathbed conversion of Patricius figure prominently in Augustine's conversion story.

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Paul Thigpen's background and conversion

04:00 • 2min

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Why Augustine matters to modern readers

06:02 • 7min

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Augustine's early life and family

12:38 • 5min

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Education, Carthage, and youthful immorality

17:09 • 4min

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Rome, Milan, and meeting Ambrose

20:52 • 7min

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Conversion: Anthony, the garden, and 'Take up and read'

28:07 • 5min

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Baptism, mystical experiences, and family losses

33:29 • 3min

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Ordination, episcopacy, and pastoral reforms

36:32 • 5min

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Major later events and writings

41:40 • 6min

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Why The Confessions resonates

47:44 • 7min

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Confessions: structure, themes, and tone

54:23 • 5min

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Infancy, theft of pears, and the problem of evil

59:00 • 4min

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'Confession' meanings and reception

01:02:50 • 9min

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Genesis in the Confessions' final books

01:12:07 • 5min

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City of God: context and purpose

01:17:30 • 9min

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Two cities: love ordered rightly or wrongly

01:26:12 • 5min

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Providence, history, and final ends

01:31:36 • 5min

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Why heresies keep returning

01:36:27 • 34sec

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What is heresy and its types

01:37:00 • 6min

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Manichaeism: origins and allure

01:42:41 • 13min

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Donatism: purity, traditores, and schism

01:55:49 • 10min

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Pelagianism: nature, grace, and human ability

02:05:31 • 13min

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Rhetoric and Scripture: Augustine's method

02:18:10 • 8min

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On Christian Doctrine: teaching and humility

02:26:30 • 13min

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On the Trinity: history and faith seeking understanding

02:39:40 • 12min

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Psychological analogy of the Trinity

02:52:07 • 4min

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Sermons and pastoral preaching

02:56:20 • 6min

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The divine physician and suffering

03:02:06 • 8min

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Why Augustine is a saint

03:09:46 • 5min

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Augustine's enduring legacy

Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence

The Secret of Peace and Happiness

Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure

St. Claude de la Colombière

This classic work explains that every event in life—joys, sorrows, trials, and sufferings—comes from God's loving hand for our sanctification and salvation. It urges readers to conform fully to God's will, accept all things without complaint, and find profound peace by abandoning anxiety and self-will. Practical advice addresses doubts about evil, unanswered prayers, and suffering, drawing from Scripture and saintly wisdom to foster total reliance on Divine Providence.

#9534

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

On the Trinity

Augustine of Hippo

Augustine's "On the Trinity" is a profound exploration of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, one of the most complex and debated concepts in Christian theology. Written in Latin, it delves into the nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, examining the relationship between these three persons within the one divine being. Augustine's work is characterized by its philosophical depth and theological insight, offering a nuanced understanding of the Trinity's mysteries. It has had a lasting impact on Christian thought, shaping theological discussions for centuries. The book's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of the relationship between faith and reason.

Manual for Spiritual Warfare

Paul Thigpen

Manual for Spiritual Warfare, by Paul Thigpen, provides pastoral instruction on recognizing and combating demonic influence within a Catholic framework. It covers discernment, prayer, sacramentals, and the Church's pastoral practices, drawing on Thigpen's experience advising exorcists and in parish ministry. The book balances theological reflection with concrete spiritual practices, offering prayers, rituals, and guidance for clergy and laity. Thigpen emphasizes holiness, humility, and reliance on sacramental grace in confronting spiritual evil. The work is used by priests and lay ministers as a resource for pastoral care and spiritual discernment.

#27650

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Life of St. Anthony the Great

Athanasios

#116

• Mentioned in 160 episodes

Confessions

Augustine

Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible. The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism. He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden. The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.

#310

• Mentioned in 86 episodes

City of God

Augustine of Hippo

Written between 413-426 CE, 'The City of God' is a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was a consequence of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors. Augustine argues that Christianity saved the city from complete destruction and that Rome’s fall was due to internal moral decay. The book divides humanity into two metaphorical cities: the City of God, characterized by devotion to God, and the City of Man, characterized by self-love. It also outlines Augustine’s theological interpretation of human history, from the Creation to the Second Coming of Christ, and critiques paganism and pagan philosophy while presenting the true history of the City of God.

#4037

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

On Christian Doctrine

St. Augustine

St. Augustine's "On Christian Doctrine" is a seminal work on biblical hermeneutics, offering guidance on interpreting Scripture. Augustine emphasizes the importance of understanding the different senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—to grasp its full meaning. He stresses the need for a proper understanding of God's word to lead a virtuous life. The book provides a framework for interpreting Scripture in a way that leads to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's plan for humanity. Augustine's insights continue to influence biblical interpretation and theological reflection today. His emphasis on the relationship between faith and reason remains a significant contribution to Christian thought.

Join Conor and the late Dr. Paul Thigpen as they trace the life of St. Augustine, from a youth of sin and searching to his eventual encounter with the Gospel through St. Ambrose. His journey to a grace-filled conversion shows why he is one of the most relatable saints, wrestling with doubt, desire, and the challenge of turning fully to God.

Augustine has also had a lasting impact through his writings—The Confessions, City of God, On the Trinity, and more. Known as the Father of Western Theology and the Doctor of Grace, his thought continues to shape Christian life and theology today, inspiring all who seek truth and authentic conversion of heart and mind.

Use code CGS50 to get 50% off a deluxe copy of The Confessions: https://tanbooks.com/products/confessions-of-st-augustine-of-hippo/

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CHAPTERS:

0:00 - The Passing of Dr. Paul Thigpen

4:03 - Trailer

5:43 - Paul’s Story and Augustine’s Story

47:44 - The Confessions

1:17:28 - The City of God

1:36:05 - The Heresies

2:18:09 - On Christian Doctrine

2:39:40 - On the Trinity

2:56:20 - Augustine’s Sermons

3:11:19 - Augustine: Model for Holiness

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